Governor Macquarie’s Proclamation of Outlawry Against Ten Natives - Dated 20 July 1816

Whereas the sanguinary disposition of certain Banditti or tribes of the black natives, which had been for some time manifested by their frequently committing the most wanton and barbarous murders on several of His Majesty’s subjects residing in the remote settlements, rendered it expedient and necessary to send military parties in pursuit of them with a view by inflicting summary punishments on some, to deter others from a prepetition of such atrocious and cruel outrages:- and although this measure was long delayed, and at length reluctantly resorted to, the numerous atrocities committed rendered it indispensible, whereby several of the most sanguinary and guilty of them met with and suffered the punishment due to their flagrant enormities.

And whereas, by Proclamation under date 4 May 1816, the Governor, after expressing his regret at the necessity which the recent circumstances had placed him under of proceeding to such extremities against those hostile natives, and anxious, if possible, to avoid the recurrence of such atrocities, did earnestly invite and exhort the said native hostile tribes to render submission, and to return again to those peaceable and unoffending habits and manners which had been formerly their best safeguard from injury by securing to them all the protection of the most favoured of His Majesty’s subjects.

And whereas, since the issuing of the said Proclamation (with which it is well known the said natives soon became fully acquainted), it had appeared that there are still amongst these people some individuals far more determinedly hostile and mischievous than the rest, who by taking the lead, have lately instigated their deluded followers to commit several further atrocious acts of barbarity on the unoffending and unprotected settlers and their families.

And whereas, the ten natives whose names are hereunder mentioned are well known to be the principal and most violent instigators of the late murders, namely:

Murrah

Myles

Wallah, alias Warren

Carbone Jack, alias Kurringy

Narrang Jack

Bunduck

Kongate

Woottan

Rachel

Yallaman

Now it is hereby publically proclaimed and declared that the said ten natives abovementioned, and each and every of them, are deemed and considered to be in a state of outlawry, and open and avowed enemies of the peace and good order of society, and therefore unworthy to receive any longer the protection of that Government, which they have so flagrantly revolted against and abused. And all and every of His Majesty’s subjects, whether free men, prisoners of the Crown, or friendly natives, are hereby authorised and enjoined to seize upon and secure the said ten outlawed natives, or any of them wheresoever they may be found, and to bring them before and deliver them up to the nearest Magistrate to be dealt with according to justice. And in case the said proscribed ten hostile natives cannot be apprehended and secured for that purpose, then such of His Majesty’s subjects, hereinbefore, are and shall be at liberty by such means as may be within their power to kill and utterly destroy them as outlaws and murderers as aforesaid, and with this view, and to encourage His Majesty’s said subjects, whether white men or friendly natives, to seize upon, secure or destroy the said outlaws, a reward of ten Pounds Sterling for each of the ten proscribed natives will be paid by government to any person or persons who shall under such circumstances bring in their persons, or produce satisfactory proof of their having killed or destroyed them within the period of three months from the date hereof.

Provided always that nothing in this Proclamation contained is to be construed to extend to allow of Government servants, of any description, to depart from their duty or services without the special permission of those persons to whom they may be assigned.

In furtherance of the object of this Proclamation and of the measures to be adopted pursuant thereto, the several district Magistrates are hereby enjoined forthwith to assemble the settlers and other persons dwelling within their respective district at some convenient central situation, and to point out to them the necessity of forming themselves into associations along the rivers Hawkesbury and Nepean, so as to be prepared to afford each other mutual relief and assistance on occasions of any attack or incursions of the hostile natives, and in cases of any outrages being attempted against them, their families, or property, they are to consider themselves authorised to repel such attacks or incursions by force of arms, at the same time they are not wantonly or unprovokedly to commence any aggressions, but only to guard against and resist the depredations or attacks of the hostile natives with a view to their immediate defence and protection.

And the settlers are further hereby strictly enjoined and commanded, on no pretence whatever, to receive, harbour or conceal any if the said outlawed banditti, or afford them any countenance or assistance whatever, nor are they to furnish aid or provisions to any of the friendly natives who may frequent their farms, but upon the express condition of their engaging and promising to use their best endeavours to secure and bring in the said ten outlaws and delivered them up to the nearest Magistrates, or lodge them in prison:- and those friendly natives are to be given to understand, that if they faithfully and earnestly exert themselves in apprehending and bringing in the said outlaws, every reasonable indulgence and encouragement will be afforded them by government; whilst on the contrary, until this object is attained, no peace or amnesty with the natives at large in this Territory will be made or conceded.

It being impossible to station military detachments as a protection for every farm in the disturbed or exposed districts, the Governor is desirous of apprising the settlers in this public manner thereof, in order that they may the more speedily and effectually adopt the best means in their power for their future security. But with a view to overawe the hostile natives generally in those parts of the Colony where they have committed the most flagrant and violent acts of cruelty and outrage, three separate military detachments will be forthwith stationed at convenient distances on the rivers Nepean, Grose and Hawkesbury, to be ready to assist and afford protection the settlers whenever occasion may require it, when called upon by the nearest Magistrate for that purpose; each detachment to be provided with a European and also a native guide, which the district Magistrates are enjoined to furnish them with carefully selecting them from the most intelligent and trustworthy persons within their several districts.

The military parties, stationed at Parramatta, Liverpool and Bringelly, will receive similar instructions to those to be given to the three military detachments before mentioned.

And the several Magistrates throughout the Territory are hereby directed to give every possible publicity and effect to this Proclamation.

 

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